DH investigates case of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by waterpipe smoking
The Department of Health (DH) today (June 24) is investigating a case of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by waterpipe smoking, and advised members of the public against smoking waterpipe or using other smoking products.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH received a notification from United Christian Hospital (UCH) that a 31-year-oldman lost consciousness and sustained head injury due to carbon monoxide poisoning after smoking waterpipe last Friday (June 20). After regaining consciousness, he went to UCH for treatment and was later discharged.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the man had used charcoal fuel to smoke waterpipe at a bar with closed door and no window.
The DH will continue to investigate the case.
The DH reminded the public that waterpipe is a smoking product and the combustion of its fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases high concentrations of carbon monoxide. Exposure to a low concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to a range of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tiredness and nausea; while exposure to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to impaired vision, disturbed co-ordination, unconsciousness, brain damage or even death. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the smoker to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas which is a by-product from incomplete combustion of fuels containing carbon, such as charcoal.To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, members of the public are urged to use fuel-burning appliances properly and in a well-ventilated area. In 2023, a cluster of carbon monoxide poisoning incidents was linked to the use of waterpipe fuelled by charcoal.
In addition, the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) prohibits any person from conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants). Any person conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500.The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the DH will follow up and investigate every complaint about illegal smoking, and will conduct inspections and enforcement actions at the venue concerned. The DH will continue to closely monitor and take stringent enforcement actions to tackle illegal waterpipe smoking.
The DH again urges the public not to smoke waterpipe. Furthermore, smoking is a major preventable cause of death. For health reason, members of the public should quit smoking now. They can call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183, or visit the thematic webpage (www.livetobaccofree.hk/en).
Secretary for Health attends 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Nanjing
The Secretary for Health, Professor LoChung-mau,attended the 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Nanjing today (July 12) to share with liver transplant experts from around the world Hong Kong's latest developments in organ transplantation, and the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in co-operation with the Mainland on organ donation and transplantation.
In his address at the opening ceremony, Professor Lo said, "Hong Kong and the Mainland have a long-standing collaboration in hepatobiliary surgery. I have personally witnessed experts from both places jointly performing a number of complex liver transplant surgeries, achieving in-depth integration of technology and resources, which is an exemplary model of medical co-operation under the 'one country, two systems' framework. In recent years, Hong Kong and the Mainland have also made breakthroughs in organ donation and transplantation. In December 2022 and February this year, two cases of cross-boundary heart donation successfully saved the lives of two infants, exemplifying to the fullest the inseparable ties between the Mainland and Hong Kong as well as our shared principle and mission in protecting and saving lives. With the accumulation of experience, the channels and procedures for handling urgent cross-boundary organ transplant requests have now been streamlined and standardised. The HKSAR Government will continue to explore arrangements for regularising this mechanism."
He also shared the latest developments in the prevention and control of liver disease in Hong Kong. He said, "Since 1988, Hong Kong has provided universal hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns, significantly reducing infection rates among younger generations. As outlined in last year's Policy Address, the Chief Executive also proposed to implement hepatitis B screening to prevent liver cancer. If patients can be identified at an early stage, it will facilitate 'early identification and early treatment', thereby effectively reducing risks of developing complications including cirrhosis and liver cancer."
The conference was jointly organised by the Jiangsu Anti-cancer Association, the Jiangsu Medical Doctor Association, and the Jiangsu Medical Association. The conference brought together international experts and scholars in liver disease, as well as senior health officials from around the world.
Professor Lo then visited the Jiangsu Province Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University), where he exchanged views and shared experiences on enhancing hospital management and services with the President of Jiangsu Province Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University), Professor Liu Yun. He said, "The Hospital Authority (HA) is adopting China's International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version) developed by the Shenzhen Hospital Accreditation Research Centre to resume the hospital accreditation programme at its public hospitals. Through independent professional hospital accreditation organisations, various aspects of hospital performance are assessed in an objective manner, with a view to enhancing the quality of healthcare institutions and safeguarding patient safety. Moreover, the HA seeks to optimise the diagnosis process of the relevant specialties and improve the treatment outcomes through the establishment of the first stroke centre at Tuen Mun Hospital, as well as chest pain centres at both Queen Mary Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital in accordance with national accreditation standards, thereby enhancing the survival rate of patients."
Professor Lo added, "The HKSAR Government will continue to promote the accreditation programme under the Standards as well as the establishment of chest pain centres and stroke centres. These initiatives will not only improve healthcare integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and support Hong Kong's integration into national development, but also leverage Hong Kong's advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, so as to demonstrate the excellence of the national hospital accreditation standards to the international community."
The Assistant Director of Health (Drug), Mr Frank Chan; the Director (Quality and Safety) of the HA, Dr Michael Wong, and the Cluster Chief Executive of Hong Kong West Cluster of the HA, Dr Theresa Li, accompanied Professor Lo to attend today's functions. They will return to Hong Kong this afternoon.
Secretary for Health attends 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Secretary for Health attends 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Secretary for Health attends 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Secretary for Health attends 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Secretary for Health attends 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
